South of the border in Oaxaca, Mexico

I've been idle for too long but I have lots to share with you!
Oh where to begin?

Let me first say that Oaxaca is a place full of beautiful people. The city was VERY safe and the place we stayed in was absolutely wonderful. And the very best thing about it all...the plane ride was only 3.5 hours from New Orleans! Gotta love that.

I don't want to bore you with all the details so I think I will stick to the art side of things. Oaxaca is known for their textiles but I didn't take any pictures of any textiles. :( Lo siento.

There was this place that we stumbled upon called La Mano Magica #26 Macedonio Alcala 203, Centro. This place had a variety of high end pieces for the taking and a price. Off to the side we noticed a show going on and I immediately knew the work. It was the work of ceramicist Alfonso Castillo. One of the the great folk artist of Mexico.

Eeeee!!! How exciting!

FAMILIA CASTILLO
Candelabro Ofrenda a mi papa
Alfonso died in 2009. :( This is an Ofrenda for him. It has all his favorite things on it. He liked Mole and there is even some of his art in mini scale up there, i.e. calevera with insects on them. Wow! This piece would cost you about $14,000 USD.

FAMILIA CASTILLO
Candelabro Ofrenda a Frida

EVERY single piece is hand made including those replicas of Frida's paintings. It's amazing how they can replicate Frida's paintings on such a small scale. The paintings were about 1.5"x2". A-MAZING! Now I want to sculpt.

Familia Castillo
Placa con Revolucionario

We did get to meet Gabriel Mendoza. Gabriel was so much fun to talk to. He told me all about the Castillo family and showed me pieces of some of the great masters of Mexico that was in the gallery. Turns out that La Mano Magica is owned by his father Arnulfo Mendoza. Arnulfo Mendoza also happens to be a great folk artist.

I'm glad to be back but I sure do miss Oaxaca. :(

Since I was gone for so long here's a little treat for you.

It's under the Tutorials tab above. There you will find my tutorial for my leather wrap bracelets.

Enjoy!

Namaste
Kalaya

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